Rock-a-Bye Baby (2 page)
Authors: Penny Warner
Remember: your relationship with your child, whether awake or asleep, is an ever-changing process, and your intuition is your most helpful asset.
âLouis Borgenicht, M.D
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Nothing brings a smile to a mother or father's face faster than the cherubic look of their sleeping baby. And nothing brings on the tears like an overtired, not-so-cherubic child who can't, or won't, go to sleep.
I should know. I spent the first couple of years of my babies' lives in a twilight daze brought on by lack of sleepâtheirs and mine. Even with a couple of academic degrees in child development, I didn't have a clue how to get my little angels off to snoozeville; that elusive secret simply wasn't covered in the clinical textbooks I had studied.
It wasn't until I began teaching parenting classes that I learned the sleep secrets held only by the real experts: experienced parents. I started collecting the tips they shared, knowing there were a lot of droopy-eyed parents out there searching for help. When it came time
to write this book, I had more than 200 parent-approved suggestions! How could I not share these wonderful tips with other night-zombie parents when I had them at my fingertips?
Whether you're expecting your first child (congratulations!) or enjoying the birth of your second, third, or tenth (goodness!), sleep can feel like a big challenge, for both you and your child. But it doesn't have to be. With these tried-and-true (and even a little wacky) tips, sleep can be all it's supposed to be: hours upon hours of restful bliss. Sound like a dream?
Rock-a-Bye Baby
makes it a reality.
You'll find in this book everything from parents' and grandparents' time-tested wisdom to recommendations from credentialed pediatricians and child-development specialists. There's certainly no shortage of advice. The trick is to make your way through it all,
try many different pointers, and find the few that suit your and your baby's lifestyle and routine. Because, trust me, everyone has an opinion about what works best! It's the rare parent who doesn't get an earful of sleep tips from well-meaning family and friends, not to mention the glut of parenting magazines, blogs, and online support groups. Here you'll find all the tips you'll need from a variety of sources, conveniently gathered in one place so you're never stuck searching for an answer in moments of exhaustion.
Sure, the sleep issue can be overwhelming, but there's no reason to despair. Trust your instincts about which of these suggestions are best for you and your baby. Because while doctors are certainly trustworthy sourcesâthey're experts for a reason, and their advice is worth a tryâperhaps no one has more expertise than parents, who have earned their MOM. or DAD.
degree as late-night sleep consultants. They've walked a mile in your slippers and tend to have the most helpful, practical advice.
When you need a hand, dip into this book. The tips are arranged by theme so you can search for targeted advice. They're also short and sweet, so you can flip to a random page for instant suggestions at frantic moments. It's like having your own personal baby nurseâminus the exorbitant price tag, of course. Many tips may be new to youâbouncing on the exercise ball, climbing up and down stairs, wrapping up a ticking clockâand some will be familiarârocking your baby in a sling, taking him for a ride in the car, singing her a lullabyâbut each one is worth trying. You never know what will work this time, so don't rule out anything.
And remember: Not all babies, and not all parents, are the same. So despite all the knowing advice in this book, paying attention to your baby's moods and
temperament is the best way to learn her sleeping patterns. Understanding these patterns will help you get to the bottom of why she might not be falling asleep easily. While some babies are more wakeful and others sleepier, most newborns sleep sixteen hours a dayâin three-to-four-hour periods, that is. (Can you imagine your baby sleeping sixteen hours straight? Talk about sweet dreams.) The good news is by three months of age, 70 percent of babies sleep from midnight to 5 a.m. But that means that 30 percent do not. And that's perfectly normalâsleep problems are typical in the first year or two of your child's life. After that, 85 percent of children go to sleep peacefullyâafter that last drink of water, that last bedtime story, and that last goodnight kiss, of course.
Also, you're not alone. This book, not to mention the support of your family, friends, and doctors, will help make the process quick, easy, and effective for
your baby. As a matter of fact, this is a great resource to keep cribside for your babysitter, nanny, or parents to use at bedtime. Just flag your favorite techniques and leave with confidence that everyone will rest easy.
At the end of the day, sleep does not have to be a mystery. I'm certain you'll discover the answer to the age-old question: How do I get my baby to sleep? You'll find the Sandman is there before you know it. I should know. Many of these tips worked for me and they worked for all the parents and other experts who contributed to this book. We've got the bright eyes and restful smiles to prove it!
To be sure your baby is safe and healthy, always follow this medical advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Safety Council before trying a particular method for getting your baby to sleep.
The first thing to do is discuss your baby's sleep problems with your pediatrician, so you can rule out any medical or physical reasons for poor sleep.
Always put your baby on his back to sleep, to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Studies have shown that having babies sleep on their backs cuts their risk of SIDS in half.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as SIDS, is one of the most frightening concerns of parents with infants. A lot of research has been done, and continues today, on the syndrome. While we don't yet have all the answers, some promising discoveries have been made, and there are a few ways you can help prevent SIDS from occurring. Here's the latest information
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⢠SIDS is defined as “the sudden death of an infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after thorough case investigation.”
⢠Researchers believe that babies who die of SIDS have one or more innate conditions that make them vulnerable.
⢠SIDS occurs in all types of families, regardless of race or socioeconomic level, and is the leading cause of death in infants.
⢠SIDS usually occurs between one month and one year of age, with the highest risk between two and four months.
⢠SIDS is sudden, silent, and associated with sleep, with no signs of suffering involved. It is not caused by vomiting, choking, minor illnesses, vaccines, or child abuse.
⢠Risk factors that apply to the mother of the child include cigarette smoking during pregnancy, maternal age less than twenty years, poor prenatal care, low weight gain, anemia, use of illegal drugs before
or during pregnancy and breast-feeding, and history of sexually transmitted diseases.
While you cannot eliminate the risk of SIDS entirely, you can lower the risk by:
⢠Having your baby sleep on her back. (Turn her head to the side to prevent it from becoming flat, known as flathead syndrome.)
⢠Using a firm mattress without excess padding or loose bedding.
⢠Not putting more than one or two soft toys in the crib.
⢠Not sleeping with baby (to prevent rolling over on her), but having her sleep in her own crib in your room.
⢠Encouraging baby to use a pacifier.
⢠Not smoking during pregnancy (and not having secondhand smoke around baby).
⢠Not overheating the baby or the room.
⢠Not relying solely on monitors for safety.
⢠Encouraging “tummy time” when your baby is awake, to enhance motor development and respiration.
⢠Not letting your baby spend too much time in carriers or bouncers.
Don't overheat your baby in an effort to keep her warm. Maintain the temperature of the room between 65° and 72° F. Avoid putting your baby by the window, to keep her from bursts of cold air or direct sunlight.
Don't overdo it with blankets, comforters, and sheets, or your baby might get tangled up or overheated during the night. Dress him in a flame-resistant, loose-fitting sleeper if it's chilly.
Babies don't need pillows, and they can dangerously restrict their breathing. If you think your baby will sleep better if her head is inclined, you can buy a wedge that will gently lift your baby's head without endangering her breathing.
Make sure your baby's mattress isn't too soft or too hard. Try it out yourself by laying it on the floor and stretching out on it; if you are uncomfortable, your baby may be, too. A mattress that's too hard has no give, and a mattress that's too soft offers little support.